Company directors and former municipal employees appear in court for alleged fraud
RUSTENBURG – Mpho Alistair Lesolle (41), Johannes Botes Rossouw (58), Piter Retief Von Willigh (58), Ntlhayakgosi Michael Mokgwamme (66) and Merika Johannes Madungandaba (66) appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 17 July 2024, facing charges of fraud.
Rossouw, von Willigh, and Madungandaba are directors of Malesela T&D Pty (Ltd), a company that allegedly had a contract with the Rustenburg Local Municipality in 2013 to install a switchgear for the Ikemeleng Bulk Infrastructure. Lesolle and Mokgwamme are former employees of the Municipality and were reportedly charged with the responsibility of overseeing the project and ensuring that the switchgear is delivered.
Reports indicate that in September 2013, the Municipality paid Malesela’s company over R2 million to install a switchgear as per the contract arrangement. Investigation revealed that the company did not render any service.
Following an investigation, the accused were served with summons between June and July 2024 to appear in court. All five accused made a brief appearance in court and were released on warning. Their matter was postponed to 21 August 2024.